News Report/DNA
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces say they conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Kalat District of Balochistan on 24 December, targeting what they described as members of “Fitna al Hindustan,” an alleged India-backed militant outfit.
According to an official statement, troops engaged a suspected militant hideout, leading to an intense exchange of fire in which eight alleged militants were killed. The military reported recovering weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the site. Authorities said those killed were linked to multiple attacks in the area.
Follow-on “sanitization” operations are underway to locate any additional suspects in the vicinity, the statement added.
Officials framed the action as part of the broader counterterrorism drive under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, which aims to eliminate what Pakistan describes as foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Independent verification of the claims, including the identities of those killed and the alleged affiliations, was not immediately available. No information was provided on any security force casualties or damage to civilian property.
